Montgomery County Community College celebrated the opening of its new Hospitality Institute on the Blue Campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, as part of its 60th anniversary celebration. (Credit: Linda Johnson)
The college held two special events at the Blue Bell Campus on Thursday, just days before its founding date of Dec. 8, 1964.
Montgomery County Community College recently celebrated its milestone 60th anniversary year with two special events at the Blue Bell Campus on Dec. 5, just days before its founding date of Dec. 8, 1964.
Kicking off the day’s festivities was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for MCCC’s new 20,180-square-foot Hospitality Institute.
“This new facility is much more than an attractive space; it is a catalyst for learning, connection and opportunity,” said Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, MCCC President. “Together, we are continuing Montco’s strong legacy of shaping lives and communities for generations to come.”
Dr. Bastecki-Perez was joined by Montgomery County Commissioners Thomas DiBello and Neil Makhija, Vice Chair, who spoke and presented a special citation.
Members of the campus community, including MCCC trustees, employees and students, came together to celebrate the official opening of the building, which had previously served as the campus bookstore before renovations began in 2022.
MCCC’s hospitality offerings include associate degree and certificate programs in Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts and Tourism & Hospitality Management, with plans to add new programs in the future.
In Montgomery County Community College’s new Hospitality Institute, students have the opportunity to master front- and back-of-the-house skills in the educational restaurant. (Credit: Linda Johnson)The facility includes chocolate, pastry and pasta kitchen laboratories, a custom wood-burning pizza oven and an innovation kitchen space for creative programs, such as its award-winning Food Recovery Program. The program, led by Karima Roepel, Director of the Hospitality Institute, and AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow Jennifer Fanega, repurposed 7,500 pounds of excess food from culinary classes into more than 3,200 meals for the College’s food pantry, addressing food insecurity while reducing landfill waste. The program received the 2023-2024 Innovation of the Year Award from The League for Innovation in the Community College.
Additionally, the Hospitality Institute includes an educational restaurant and a pastry shop, which provide hands-on learning opportunities for students to master both the front- and back-of-the-house operations. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor dining spaces.
“The Hospitality Institute will be a game-changer, not only for our students but also for Montgomery County’s workforce and economy,” said Dr. Raj Guttha, MCCC trustee, noting that the hospitality industry is one of the most vibrant and essential industries in the region.
Dr. Chae Sweet, MCCC Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, said the Hospitality Institute already has become a gathering space for students and employees during the soft opening this fall.
“The Hospitality Institute will be a beacon for the broader community, too, offering culinary classes for cooking enthusiasts, youth camps, team-building events and dining experiences,” Dr. Sweet said.
After the ribbon cutting, MCCC continued its celebration later in the evening when invited students, current and former employees, alumni, and community members gathered for a special 60th-anniversary event beginning in Parkhouse Hall. Named after A. Russell Parkhouse, a Montgomery County Commissioner who was a key advocate for the College’s founding, the building served as the perfect venue for the event.
Montgomery County Community College hosted a special 60th-anniversary celebration in the evening of Dec. 5 for invited students, current and former employees, alumni, and community members. (Credit: Linda Johnston)President Bastecki-Perez welcomed guests and spoke about how MCCC continues to fulfill the founders’ vision to create opportunities for all learners.
“Montgomery County Community College is committed to breaking down barriers and opening doors, ensuring that everyone has a pathway to opportunity,” she said. “Our Mustangs, through their many successes, leave indelible hoofprints, elevating families and their communities for generations and creating lasting success. United in purpose, we will continue to transform lives, destinies and future generations.”
Following the formal remarks, attendees were invited to explore the campus. Select buildings featured anniversary-themed exhibits, including a retrospective exhibit filled with 60 years of MCCC history in College Hall and a special 60th-anniversary student video project played inside the Montco Cultural Center theater.
The two events concluded a year-long series of activities commemorating the College’s 60th anniversary. Highlights included the Acts of Service Challenge, where students and employees were encouraged to perform 60 minutes of service a month in their communities, special 60th- anniversary episodes of the “Montco on the Move” podcast, and a ‘Human 60’ formation to kick off the fall semester.
To learn more about the Hospitality Institute and its programs, visit mc3.edu/hospitality. For details about the 60th anniversary celebration, visit mc3.edu/60years.
